Research Article | Published: 01 December 2016

Changing Economy and Livelihood Options in Cold Deserts of Himachal Pradesh, India: Threat to Biodiversity

Poonam, Rajan Bawa and S. S. Sharma

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 39 | Issue: 4 | Page No. 327-333 | 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2016-U17C9I | Cite this article

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted in village Goshal, located in Lahaul and Spiti cold desert district of Himachal Pradesh, India during 2010 to 2013, to assess economic gains from traditional and present day cash cropping and sustainable harnessing of the limited natural resources and their intricate utilization. We found that the major part of the energy and biomass recycle with in the system through traditional cropping (Barley). We calculated the Input output ratio which for Barley  comes out to be 1:1.29, however in case of cash crops (Pea and Potato) the input: output ratio was quite high, for Potato the ratio comes out to be 1:3.47 and for Pea ratio was 1: 2.43 (if labour and FYM cost is added), thus higher than Barley. This is the basic reason for shifting of the farming community from traditional crops to the plantation of cash crops. Thus the present study was undertaken to generate a strong database, not only for estimating the present status of various natural resources but this would also be of great help for researchers working in such harsh areas in other parts of the world, planners and decision makers for drawing interlinked sustainable developmental plans for the area for better socioeconomic status and restricting further desertification.

Keywords

Biomass, Cash Cropping, Cold Desert, Economic Gains, Farming Community, Input Output Ratio, Traditional Cropping, Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti, Biodiversity threat

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How to cite

Poonam, Bawa, R. and Sharma, S.S., 2016. Changing Economy and Livelihood Options in Cold Deserts of Himachal Pradesh, India: Threat to Biodiversity. Indian Journal of Forestry, 39(4), pp.327-333. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2016-U17C9I

Publication History

Manuscript Published on 01 December 2016

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